MINEC mobilizes 3,040 officials to prevent the sale of moss

Published at: 07/11/2025 07:17 PM

The Ministry for Ecosocialism (Minec) activated a deployment of 3,040 officials nationwide. The objective of this contingent is to carry out protection and control tasks to prevent the illegal extraction of moss during the holiday season.

The mobilization of personnel is part of the campaign “Christmas without Moss, in Peace and with Sovereignty”, which has been active throughout the national territory since November 1.

César Solís, general director of Environmental Impact Monitoring and Control at Minec, explained that this special operation is aimed at mitigating the extraction of highly protected species, such as moss, lichens and tree ferns.

Solís explained that the National Oversight Committee works together with the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB), the Public Ministry (MP), the Bolivarian National Police (PNB) and the Scientific, Criminal and Criminal Investigations Corps (Cicpc). These agencies are deployed to respond to any complaint that Venezuelan citizens may make through the 0800-AMBIENT telephone number (0800-262.43.68).

The director of Minec recalled that Resolution 000175, published in the Official Gazette 40.305 of 2013, establishes an explicit prohibition of the extraction and commercialization of various plant species. This regulation specifically protects moss, lichens, bryophytes, tree ferns and bromeliads.

In this regard, the official warned that any action that contravenes the above-mentioned Resolution will be sanctioned in accordance with current legal regulations on environmental matters.

The national campaign seeks to exercise exhaustive control over the extraction, commercialization, transport and use of bryophytes (moss), as well as over any intervention affecting lichens, tree ferns and bromeliads.

In the state of Carabobo, the Committee for Monitoring and Control of Environmental Impacts succeeded in retaining 74,400 units of processed moss, ready for commercialization.

This finding was made at the facilities of a company that kept the packages distributed in 310 boxes, which represents a flagrant violation of Resolution 000175, which prohibits the commercialization of this species.

As a result of the operation, the company received a summons ballot and notification of the retention of plant material. The confiscated moss was left in the custody of the General Directorate of Surveillance and Control of Environmental Impacts of Minec, while the corresponding legal actions are being processed.

Mazo News Team